The footballer and his entourage were understood to be on their way back to Ibiza when they were stopped.

The inspection is believed to have formed part of routine checks performed on vessels in the area, related to the paperwork on board to make sure the correct taxes have been paid.

The Customs agents are understood to have left after discovering everything on board Cristiano’s yacht, named as AYa London, was in order.

Spanish Tax Agency officials are not expected to make any official comment.

A source quoted by leading Spanish daily El Mundo described the inspection as “a routine control on vessels of the type that are carried out every summer in the Balearic Islands”.

Customs agents are understood to have made their unexpected appearance just off the Formentera shoreline as Cristiano returned from a restaurant with his mother, girlfriend and children including his new surrogate twins Eva and Mateo.